Water, water, everywhere! – though oftentimes unseen! Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of surface rivers and streams. Natural, underground waterways are also very present in Kentucky. Lexington’s annual Water Week event celebrates these waterways and highlights our role in protecting them.
Water Week includes events for all ages, abilities and interests.
Water Week is sponsored by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Fayette County Public Schools, the City of Lexington and local watershed groups.
Water Week Events 2026
Terrarium Workshop
Friday, March 20 | 6 – 8 p.m.
500 Alumni Drive | Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Host: The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky
Craft your very own miniature garden using the power of the water cycle! Arboretum staff will guide you in the process of creating a terrarium. You will receive all the supplies needed to design your terrarium and will leave with take-home instructions to keep your terrarium healthy and thriving.
Reforest Frenzy 5K, 1 mile!
Saturday, March 21 | 8 – 11 a.m.
3551 Briar Hill Rd | Hisle Farm Park
Host: John’s Run/Walk Shop
John’s Bluegrass Racing Company, ASICS, and Lexington’s Division of Environmental Services are excited to present the Reforest Frenzy 5K, 10K, and 1-Mile Dash at Hisle Farm Park. Race proceeds will help raise money to purchase trees for this year’s Reforest the Bluegrass in April. With your help, we hope to plant hundreds of trees after the race at home and thousands more during Reforest the Bluegrass.
All race participants will get race prizes, including the option to take a tree to plant at home after their run or walk. Participants can also choose to have their tree planted on their behalf at a 2026 Reforest the Bluegrass event. Registration is required. Event registration
Veterans Park Stream Walk
Saturday, March 21 | 9 – 10:30 a.m.
650 Southpoint Drive | Veterans Park Picnic Shelter #1
Host: Hickman Creek Conservancy
Take a short walk along and near West Hickman Creek in Veterans Park as we have a chat about water quality and the West Hickman Watershed.
Parking: Please park in the parking lot adjacent to the Veterans Park baseball fields off of Southpoint Drive.
Learn to Sample Waterways with Kentucky Watershed Watch
Saturday, March 21 | 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
650 Southpoint Drive | Veterans Park Picnic Shelter #1
Host: Kentucky Watershed Watch
During this workshop, participants will learn how to monitor their local waterways through Kentucky Watershed Watch. You’ll gain experience with sampling kits, learn how to check out kits for monitoring opportunities, and how to become a part of a unique local water quality monitoring community. This training will count towards volunteer certification for interested participants.
Participants will have the opportunity to access the stream, if desired, so old closed toed shoes that can get wet, waterproof boots, or waders are advised but not required. Those who do not wish to access the water can still fully participate in the training.
Event will be held under the Veterans Park Picnic Shelter #1 in the northwest corner of the park with access to West Hickman Creek via the trail.
Registration is required. Event registration
Water Week: Salamander Spotlight
Saturday, March 21 | 1 – 3 p.m.
3885 Raven Run Way
Host: Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Join us for Water Week to learn about and observe salamanders!
The Price Herpetology Lab from the University of Kentucky will be joining us with their expert knowledge and live adult salamanders. We will also have a temporary aquatic tank with live salamander larvae. This is an all-ages drop-in program in our Education Building and the area around the Nature Center.
Free. No registration required but please be respectful in sharing space.
Please note that this program does not include a hike to the creek.
Parking: Park in the visitor lot. Take the sidewalk path to the Nature Center and Education Building area.
Spectacular Springs: A Karst Topography Tour
Friday, March 22 | 2 – 3:30 p.m.
416 Rebmann Lane | McConnell Springs Park
Host: McConnell Springs Park
Come celebrate Water Week at McConnell Springs Park! Join staff for a karst topography tour and a look into our spectacular spring system! Program intended for all ages and will cover terrain not included in our paved loop, no registration required!
This walk will take place over easy terrain with a slight elevation increase. The majority will take place on a paved loop with a section on a dirt/mulched trail.
Kilrush Food Forest Walking Tour and Riparian Cleanup
Monday, March 23 | 1 – 4 p.m.
1135 Kilrush Drive | Kilrush Food Forest
Host: UK Forestry Extension Soil and Water Team and Geomancer Permaculture
The University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Soil and Water Extension Team and Geomancer Permaculture and are partnering to host a walking tour and a riparian cleanup at the Kilrush Food Forest on Thursday, March 23rd from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Join us as we tour the food forest and work together to clean up a substantial dump site in the riparian area across the creek from the food forest and connect with community members. Tools, gloves, and refreshments will be provided.
Please wear closed-toe shoes.
Parking: Parking is available at the Valley Park parking lot. We will meet across the creek on the Kilrush Drive side for the initial walking tour.
Stream Keepers 101
Tuesday, March 24 | 6 – 8 p.m.
416 Rebmann Lane | McConnell Springs Park
Host: Bluegrass Trout Unlimited
Do you have what it takes to be a S.T.R.E.A.M. Keeper? Hint: You DO!
Join Bluegrass Trout Unlimited (BGTU) to learn about our newest program: S.T.R.E.A.M. Keepers!
This program uses Science, Technology, Recreation, Engineering, Art, and Math (STREAM) based activities to connect citizens of all ages with their local waterways through science, art and angling (which is just a fancy word for fly-fishing).
Limestone & Lost Streams: A Karst Walk and Talk
Tuesday, March 24 | 6 – 7 p.m.
416 Rebmann Lane | McConnell Springs Park
Host: Kentucky Geological Survey
Join the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) for a guided karst walk at McConnell Springs Park and discover how water shapes the landscape beneath your feet.
At McConnell Springs, you’ll explore classic karst features including springs, sinkholes, and disappearing streams. Learn how groundwater moves through fractures and solution channels, why karst terrains are vulnerable, and what this means for protecting our water resources.
This family-friendly walk will combine local history, hydrogeology, and hands-on observation. Whether you’re a curious nature lover, a budding scientist, or just ready to see Lexington from a new perspective, join KGS on this informative walk. Please note: Closed-toe shoes are advised. The trails are mostly paved, bridged, or hard-packed soil, but please check with the park if you have specific concerns about accessibility. No restroom will be available.
Microplastics Madness
Tuesday, March 24 | 6 – 9 p.m.
214 E. Main St. | Kentucky Theatre
Host: Common Threads LEX
Join us for a free showing of Microplastic Madness, a film about a group of fifth graders who spent two years investigating plastic pollution by taking on the roles of community scientists, leaders, and advocates. Space is limited; tickets must be reserved in advance. Doors open at 6 p.m. – visit with local environmental groups before the film!
Film at 7 p.m. followed by panel discussion. Presented by Common Threads LEX, a sustainability-focused partnership between Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, the University of Kentucky and Fayette County Public Schools. Parking: Parking in the Phoenix Garage surface lot (behind the LFUCG Government Building on Water Street) is free after 5pm on weekdays. Bike parking is located behind the Kentucky Theatre. Event registration
Seedlings in STEAM
Wednesday, March 25 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. | The Living Arts & Science Center
Host: The Living Arts & Science Center
We are celebrating Water Week with a session full of water focused activities and hands-on learning.
Seedlings in STEAM is a FREE 16 week program for pre-k students and their caregivers. Bringing new encounters in STEAM & School readiness for students ages 3-5 yrs old. Space is limited and pre registration is required. Please email Callie Northern at cnorthern@lasclex.org to register today! Parking: There is a parking lot but spaces are limited. Street parking is available should the lot be full. Event website
Cane Run Stream Walk
Cane Run Stream Walk at Coldstream Park
Saturday, March 28 | 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Parking Lot, Legacy Trail
Host: WaterwaysLex
Take a short walk along and near Cane Run Creek in Coldstream Park as we have a chat about water quality and the Cane Run Watershed.
Please meet at the Legacy Trail Parking Lot, located on McGrathiana Pkwy at the following coordinates: 38.097641, -84.498167.
Spring Tree Giveaway
Saturday, March 28 | 9 a.m. – noon
101 W. Loudon Ave. | Greyline Station
Host: Trees Lexington
Lexington residents are invited to adopt a FREE tree from our giveaway on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. – noon. Trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each household may adopt one tree for planting in the ground, on private property, in Lexington, Kentucky.
Make a difference in our community’s water quality by planting a tree to help capture rainfall and reduce runoff pollutants before they reach our local streams, rivers, and lakes. While trees use this water for growth and cooling, the rate and volume of stormwater flowing through storm sewers are also reduced.
Trees are available only for planting in the ground, on private property, in Lexington, Kentucky. Potential wait times require standing. We will have volunteers available to help load your tree into your vehicle.
Special directions: The event will be located at the back of Greyline Station’s large parking lot with entrances on Loudon Avenue. Event website
Building a Monarch Friendly Garden
Saturday, March 28 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
500 Alumni Drive | Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Host: Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky
Presenter: Daniel Potter
With its iconic orange and black markings, the monarch butterfly is among our most recognizable native butterfly species. This talk covers why monarch populations are in peril, why their conservation matters, and how the gardening public can help restore this beloved butterfly to sustainable status. We’ll explore the monarch’s fascinating natural history, including its spectacular long-distance migration, its special relationship with milkweed, and the best milkweed species and nectar plants for supporting monarchs and bees in gardens. The talk also highlights recent UK research showing that garden design and placement matters, as well as how to prevent your garden from becoming an “ecological trap” due to predation by invasive wasps or planting the wrong type of milkweed.
Daniel Potter is Professor Emeritus in the UK Department of Entomology where for 44 years his research focused on managing pests and conserving beneficial insects in urban landscapes. Dan is an award-winning teacher, an elected Fellow of the Entomological Society of America, and has been an invited speaker at scientific conferences and public events throughout the world. This event is free, but space is limited. Registration is required. To register, email The Arboretum at arboretum@uky.edu
Event website
Make Your Own Rain Barrel
Saturday, March 28 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
1356 Cahill Drive | Klausing Group
Host: Bluegrass Greensource
Join Bluegrass Greensource to make your very own rain barrel!
Participants will learn about the importance of rain barrels—how they help conserve water, reduce stormwater runoff and support healthier landscapes – and build one to take home. Cost: $20 per participant Workshops start at 9 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. Spots are limited be sure to register soon to secure your place!
Event registration
Idle Hour Park Stream Clean Up
Saturday, March 28 | 10 a.m. – noon
195 Life Lane | Lexington Senior Center
Host: Idle Hour Neighbors Alliance
Every year, volunteers from our neighborhood gather to clean our beloved creek that flows through Idle Hour Park as well as through the grounds of Breckinridge Elementary School. In past years, we’ve collected yards and yards of carpet, old tires, waterlogged suitcases, ancient cellphones — you name it, we’ve probably pulled it out of our creek! Please join us in preserving this valuable resource and making our neighborhood beautiful. Parking: Parking can be found next to the Senior Center, then walk north through the park to the entrance that joins Saint Ann Drive where we will gather to start the clean up. Event website
Earth Hour: Wolf Run Clean Up
Saturday, March 28 | noon – 4 p.m.
2223 Devonport Drive
Host: Environmental Commission and Friends of Wolf Run
Clean up starts at the Devonport Drive Bridge. We will be doing trash cleanup, planting seeds, removing invasive plants, and working to control bank erosion in this area of Wolf Run. Please wear outdoor-appropriate clothing; we will be working on a steep slope and in the Wolf Run Creek, so please dress accordingly. Meet at the bridge on Devonport Drive.
Jacobson Lake Water Week Cleanup
Saturday, March 28 | 5 – 7 p.m.
4001 Athens Boonesboro Rd | Jacobson Park
Host: LFUCG Parks & Recreation and Live Green Lexington
Join us in celebrating Water Week and Earth Hour with a lake cleanup at Jacobson Park! We will meet at the boat ramp and will be paddling on the lake to collect litter that has gathered along the edges. There will be tabling from local organizations with hands-on activities to learn more about water and information on how to get involved with your local watershed. Lexington Parks and Live Green Lex will provide the cleanup materials, as well as kayaks and canoes. Register for your choice of a solo kayak or a two-person canoe. If you are able to bring your own kayak or canoe, please do! Sunscreen and water will be provided, please dress appropriately to enjoy a day on the water. Special directions: We will be meeting at the boat ramp. Registration is required.
Event registration
